A TURBINE FOR ROTATION UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF A FLOWING MEDIUM

Abstract: A turbine having a vertical axis of rotation (2) comprises a number of wings (5) having longitudinal axes (6) which are substantially parallel with the turbine axis (2), the wings (5) by means of supporting elements (3, 4) being rotatably mounted about their longitudinal axis (6) at a distance from the turbine axis (2), to move in a path thereabout under wind influence. A force-exerting means (10, 14) acts upon the wings (5) with a resilient force seeking to move the wings towards a normal position with the leading edge of the wings (5) pointing in their movement direction in said path. The wings (5) are arranged and mounted so as to be able to turn all the way round about their longitudinal axis (6) during operation, and simultaneously provide propulsive force during a substantial part of the rotation of the turbine, each wing (5) being provided with a returning means (12) having only one stable position and which, under the influence of a force from the force-exerting means (10, 14), seeks to return the wing (5) to the stable position, this position corresponding to said normal position of the wing.

Description: A turbine for rotation under the influence of a flowing medium 5 The present invention relates to a turbine for rotation about an axis of rotation under the influence of a flowing medium, especially a wind turbine having a vertical axis of rotation, comprising a number of wings having longitudinal axes substantially parallel with the turbine axis, the wings by means 0 of supporting elements being rotatably mounted about their longitudinal axis at a distance from the turbine axis, to move in a path thereabout under wind influence, a force-exerting means being provided acting on the wings with a resilient force seeking to move the wings towards a normal position with the leading edge s of the wings pointing in their movement direction in said path. During the latest 10 to 20 years there have been installed a great number of wind turbines for production electrical power. The most common turbines are the wind turbines having horizontal axes the operation of which is based on the 0 ancient wind mill principle. These turbines are incumbered with some drawbacks which may be summarized as follows: The wind turbine must have a device turning the turbine to the correct position relative to the wind direction. The generator for electrical power is arranged at a high level relative to the 5 ground, and it must be rotated together with the turbine, so that one may not have a cable directly from the generator. The wings of the turbine are expensive and critical to manufacture. A high velocity at the periphery of the wings may cause an unpleasant noise. The turbine must be stopped at high wind velocities in o order not to be destroyed. Wind turbines having a vertical axis have a number of advantages as compared to those having a horizontal axis, and from these the following may be mentioned: The turbines function equally well in all wind directions. The generator may be placed 5 at a low level, and it is stationary. The wings of the turbine are simple to produce, and they have the same profile over their entire length. The wings may be driven with a moderate velocity which produces little noise. During the later years some large vertical-axis wind turbines have been installed in England. These turbines utilize wings which are fixedly mounted on horizontal arms. A high path velocity for the wings is necessary in order for the wings to function properly. Wind turbines of this type also have starting s problems, and usually must be assisted to start running. Further, they have to be stopped in strong wind in order not to be destroyed. A wind turbine of the type stated in the introduction is known from DE-A-2 873 731. In this known turbine the wings to o a certain extent may rotate about their own axis, and a spring system keeps the wings in the normal position. This turbine will function well at normal wind velocities, when the angle of excursion of the wings is relatively small. When the wind velocity becomes higher than the peripheral velocity of the s turbine, i.e. the path velocity of the wings, the turbine must, however, be stopped to avoid destructions. Thus, it is a general object of the invention to provide a turbine of the topical type, and especially a wind turbine, which is without the above-mentioned drawbacks. o A more special object of the invention is to provide a wind turbine which is able to operate also under the highest wind velocities, and which in addition is to operate optimally at the occurring lower wind velocities. For achievement of the above-mentioned objects there is 5 provided a turbine of the introductorily stated type which, according to the invention, is characterized in that the wings are mounted so as to be able to rotate all the way around about their longitudinal axis during operation, and simultaneously provide propulsive force during a substantial part of the o rotation of the turbine, each wing being provided with a returning means having only one stable position and which, under the influence of the force-exerting means, seeks to return the wing to the stable position, this position corresponding to said normal position of the wing. 5 With a low wind force, when the peripheral velocity of the turbine is higher than the wind velocity, the leading edge of the wings of the turbine according to the invention will point substantially in the movement direction of the wings, with a small exursion. With wind velocities exceeding the peripheral velocity, the leading edge of the wings will point substantially against the wind. Because of the resilient force seeking to move the wings "cowards their normal position, the wind turbine will still function. However, the wings may now rotate completely 5 around about their axis of rotation, so that the wind turbine is able to function in the strongest occurring wind. It is to be noted that, from US patent No. 4 052 134, there is known a wind turbine having wings which are able to rotate 360 degrees around. In this known turbine, however, this is not an important manner o of operation for the wings, such as is the case with the present invention, but only a manner of protecting the equipment. The principle of the invention may also be used in a turbine which is located in a flowing medium other than air, and for example is submerged in water. In this case the turbine may s have a horizontally or vertically oriented axis of rotation. Therefore, in accordance with the invention, there is also provided a water turbine which is distinguished by the charac¬ terizing features according to claim 10. The invention will be further described below in o connection with exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings, wherein Fig. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a three- wing vertical-axis turbine according to the invention; Fig. 2 shows a first embodiment of a force-exerting and 5 returning means according to the invention; Fig. 3 shows a plan view of the returning means in Fig. 2 on a larger scale; Fig. 4 shows a second embodiment of the force-exerting and returning means; o Fig. 5 shows a third embodiment of the force-exerting and returning means; Fig. 6 shows a fourth embodiment of the force-exerting and returning means; Figs. 7 and 8 show schematic views of a four-blade wind 5 turbine viewed from above, under various wind conditions; Fig. 9 shows a schematic view of a first embodiment of a water turbine according to the invention, viewed slantwise from below; and Fig. 10 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of a water turbine according to the invention. In the various Figures corresponding elements are designated by the same reference numerals. The schematic view in Fig. 1 shows a turbine having a vertical shaft 1 which is mounted about an axis of rotation 2 and to which there are fastened an upper and a lower supporting element 3 and 4, respectively, for rotatable mounting of three turbine wings 5 so that the wings are rotatable about respective longitudinal axes 6 which are shown to be parallel with the turbine axis 2. As shown, the supporting elements 3, 4 consist of three pairs of radially directed arms 7, 8, where the wings 5 are mounted at the outer ends of the arms, so that the wings move in a circular path about the turbine axis 2. This circular path defines the periphery of the turbine. It is to be noted here that it may be of interest to use a different periphery at the upper and lower ends of the wings, because of a higher wind velocity in the upper region. The longitudinal axes of the wings then will not be parallel with the turbine axis. The centre of gravity of the wings is located in their axis of rotation 6, whereas the balance point for the lift of the wings is located in or rearwardly of this axis. The base 9 of the turbine contains a suitable gearing and an electric generator (not shown) . In the turbine according to the invention the wings are mounted such that they may turn completely around about their longitudinal axis or axis of rotation during operation. In the illustrated embodiment, each of the wings is provided with a force-exerting means (the detail D in Fig. 1) which, in opera¬ tion, acts upon the wings with a resilient force seeking to move the wings towards a normal position wherein the leading edge of the wings points in their direction of movement in the above- mentioned circular path. Under wind influence the wings will position themselves with the leading edge against the wind under the presupposition that the force-exerting means does not exert any force on the wing. The wind turbine then is in its stop position. In the construction according to the invention, the force-exerting means cooperates with a wing-returning means which, in the illustrated embodiment, has only one stable position and which, under the influence of a force from the force-exerting means, seeks to move the wing back to this stable position. This position corresponds to said normal position of the wing. In this manner it is ensured that the wing is returned to the normal position as soon an external wind-force influence 5 ceases, when the force-exerting means is activated. Fig. 2 shows a first embodiment of the force-exerting and returning means. In the Figure, a wing 5 is suggested with dashed lines, and an arrow A shows the movement direction of the wing. The force-exerting means is arranged at the lower end of ιo the wing and consists of a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder 10 which is mounted in the supporting element 4 (shown sectioned) and which is coupled through a piston rod 10 to the wing- returning means. This consists of a cam disc 12 which, in the illustrated embodiment, is symmetrical and has an essentially is heart-shaped cam surface 13, and which cooperates with a cam- actuating member in the form of roller 14 which is rotatably mounted on the piston rod 11. As suggested by a pin 15, the heart-shaped disc 12 is rigidly fastened to the wing 5 and turns around together therewith about the axis of rotation 6 of the 20 wing. In Fig. 2 the wing 5 is shown in its normal position wherein its leading edge points in the movement direction, and wherein the roller 14 is pressed against the re-entrant portion of the cam surface 13 defined by the heart-shape of the disc. The 25 arrangement is shown more in detail in the plan view in Fig. 3 wherein the re-entrant portion of the cam surface 13 is desig¬ nated by 16. As shown, the disc 12 is fastened to the wing in such a position that the axis of rotation 6 of the wing inter¬ sects the axis of symmetry 17 of the disc at a point located so closer to the re-entrant cam surface portion 16 of the disc than the remaining points on the cam surface 13. With other words, the disc has an increasing "radius" from the point wherein the axis of symmetry 17 intersects the re-entrant portion 16, with a maximum radius 180° from this point. This entails that the disc 35 12 and the wing 5 have only one stable position when the roller 14 is pressed against the disc by the pneumatic cylinder 10, viz. said normal position. The disc 12 may be designed with different shapes enabling a desired returning force of the disc in relation to the excursion of the wing from the normal position. The disc may also be executed such that it has a constant radius in the rear part of the disc, so that the wing is loose and is not influenced by any returning force along a s part of its path of rotation when it turns all the way round. The disc 12 is shown to be symmetrical, but there may also be used an unsymmetrical disc. As shown in Fig. 2, a weight 18 is arranged on the piston rod 11, so that the weight in influenced by a centrifugal ιo force when the wing moves in its path. The weight 18 acts upon the roller 14, so that said centrifugal force increases the force against the roller and the disc 12. This results in that a larger wind force is required against the wing to bring it out from the normal position. is In Fig. 4 there is shown an embodiment which essential¬ ly corresponds to the embodiment in Fig. 2, but wherein, instead of the weight 18, there is arranged a helical spring 19 pressing against the roller 14 and the disc 12. The spring pressure may be adjusted by means of the position of the piston (not shown) 2o in the hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder 10. Fig. 5 shows an embodiment which in essential features is similar to the embodiment according to Fig. 2, but wherein a heart-shaped cam disc 20 has been turned around 180° relative to the cam disc 12 in Fig. 2, and wherein a disc-influencing roller 25 21 is arranged at the "outside" or opposite side of the disc 20 relative to the hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder 10. The cylinder 10 here exerts a pulling force on the roller 21, so that this is pressed against the disc 20 to move the wing back to the normal position in case of excursions therefrom. Also in this embodiment so a weigh 22 influenced by a centrifugal force is arranged on the piston rod 11. In this embodiment, however, the centrifugal force reduces the pressure from the roller 21 against the disc 20 with increasing velocity of the wind turbine. This results in a limitation of the number of revolutions per minute. 35 Fig. 6 shows a simple means for achieving a returning force on the wing 5. In this embodiment a crank arm 23 at one end thereof is fastened to the wing 5 through a pin 24, so that the crank arm turns about the axis of rotation 6 of the wing, and the other end of the crank arm is connected by a suitable coupling means, in the illustrated case a cord 25, to a solenoid 26 having a movable iron core (not shown). The solenoid 26 here exerts a pulling force on the crank arm 23 and thus produces a returning force of the wing 5. The returning force on the wing may be adjusted by adjusting the current in the solenoid. In the wind turbine according to the invention all the wings preferably will be equipped with the same type of force- exerting and returning means, so that one has the same control on all wings. It will be clear that the resilient returning force may be achieved in many different ways, instead of using a hydraulic or pneumatic actuator, as described above. For example, the force may be produced and controlled electro-mechanically, or also manually. However, the use of hydraulic or pneumatic actuators is advantageous, since they are adapted to be connected in parallel, for influencing all wings in parallel and with the same force, and to be controlled from a central location. The force from the actuator then may be varied from zero up to a desired maximum value. The wind turbine may be stopped by reducing the returning force on the wings to zero. Figs. 7 and 8 show schematic view of a four-blade wind turbine viewed from above, wherein the direction of rotation of the turbine is indicated by an arrow R and the wind direction is indicated by an arrow W. In Fig. 7 the peripheral velocity of the turbine, i.e. the path velocity of the wings 27, is much higher than the wind velocity. In Fig. 8, on the other hand, the wind velocity is much higher than the peripheral velocity of the turbine. Some of the wings 27 then are rotated all the way round, so that the leading edge of all wings in all essentials points against the wind. Fig. 9 shows a schematic view of a turbine according to the invention which is placed flowing water. The turbine is shown to be mounted at the underside of a suitably anchored float 30, and in this case is placed with its axis of rotation 31 horizon¬ tally oriented. The turbine is carried by arms 32 fastened to the underside of the float 30. The turbine has three wings 33 which, at the outer ends of supporting arms 34, are rotatably mounted about longitudinal axis 35 which are parallel with the turbine axis. A bevel gear drive 36 transmits the rotational force of the turbine to a gearing 37 driving an electric generator 38. In other respects the turbine is constructed and works in a manner corresponding to that of the previously described wind turbine. Another embodiment of a turbine according to the invention which is placed in flowing water, is shown in Fig. 10. The turbine here has a vertically oriented axis of rotation, and corresponds to an embodiment wherein the previously described wind turbine is turned upside down. The wings of the turbine are shown to be working with their noses pointing essentially forwards and against the water current, the peripheral speed of the wings being lower than the speed of the water current. As shown, the turbine is arranged at the underside of a supporting structure in the form of a gangway or a deck 39 supporting the electric generator 40 of the turbine. As mentioned, the turbine has a vertical axis of rotation 41 and is carried by a downwards depending column 42 fastened to the deck 39. The turbine has four blades 43 which, at the outer ends of supporting arms 44, are rotatably mounted about longitudinal axis 45 which are parallel with the turbine axis 41. Also this turbine in other respects is constructed and operates in a manner corresponding to that of the turbines described above.

Claims: P a t e n t C l a i m s 1. A turbine for rotation about an axis of rotation s under the influence of a flowing medium, especially a wind turbine having a vertical axis of rotation, comprising a number of wings ( 5) having longitudinal axes (6) substantially parallel with the turbine axis (2) , the wings ( 5) by means of supporting elements (3, 4) being rotatably mounted about their longitudinal o axis ( 6) at a distance from the turbine axis (2), to move in a path thereabout under wind influence, a force-exerting means (10, 14; 25, 26) being provided acting on the wings (5) with a resilient force seeking to move the wings towards a natural position with the leading edge of the wings (5) pointing in their s movement direction in said path, characterized in that the wings (5) are mounted so as to be able to rotate all the way round about their longitudinal axis (6) during operation, and simul¬ taneously provide propulsive force during a substantial part of the rotation of the turbine, each wing (5) being provided with o a returning means (12; 23) having only one stable position and which, under the influence of the force-exerting means (10, 14; 25, 26), seeks to return the wing (5) to the stable position, this position corresponding to said normal position of the wing. 2. A turbine according to claim 1, characterized in 5 that the force-exerting means (10, 14) is arranged to act upon all wings (5) in parallel and with the same force, and to be controlled from a central place. 3. A turbine according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the force from the force-exerting means (10, 14) is 0 arranged to be varied from zero up to a desired maximum value. 4. A turbine according to any of the claims 1-3, characterized in that the returning means comprises a cam disc (12) having an essentially heart-shaped cam surface (13) with a re-entrant portion (16) defining said stable position, and 5 wherein the cam disc (12) cooperates with a cam-actuating member (14) contacting the cam surface (13) under the influence of the force-exerting means (10), the disc (12) being fastened to one end of the wing ( 5) so that the axis of rotation ( 6) of the wing intersects the longitudinal axis (17) of the disc at a point located closer to the re-entrant cam surface portion (16) of the disc (12) than the remaining points on the cam surface (13). 5. A turbine according to claim 4, characterized in that the force-exerting means is a hydraulic or pneumatic actuator (10). 6. A turbine according to any of the claims 1-5, characterized in that the force-exerting means (10, 14) is arranged to be acted upon by a centrifugal force (weight 18) which, with an increasing path velocity of the wings (5), increases the force from the force-exerting means. 7. A turbine according to any of the claims 1-5, characterized in that the force-exerting means (10, 21) is arranged to be acted upon by a centrifugal force (weight 22) which, with an increasing path velocity of the wings (5), reduces the force from the force-exerting means. 8. A turbine according to any of the claims 1-3, characterized in that the returning means comprises a crank arm (23) of which one end is fastened to the axis of rotation ( 6) of the wing (5), and the other end of which is connected to a solenoid (26) having an iron core exerting a pulling force on the crank arm (23) in dependence on the current through the solenoid (26). 9. A turbine according to claim 5, characterized in a helical spring (19) is connected between the actuator (10) and the cam-influencing member (14). 10. A water turbine for operation of a working machine, such as an electric generator, wherein the turbine has a substantially horizontal or vertical axis of rotation (31; 41) and comprises a number of wings (33; 43) having longitudinal axes (35; 45) which are substantially parallel with the turbine axis (31; 41), characterized in that the wings (33; 43) by means of supporting elements (34; 44) are rotatably mounted about their longitudinal axis (35; 45) at a distance from the turbine axis (31; 41), to move under current influence in a path thereabout, there being provided a force-exerting means acting upon the wings (33; 43) with a resilient force seeking to move the wings to a normal position with the leading edge of the wings pointing in their movement direction in said path, that the wings (33; 43) are mounted so as to be able to turn all the way around about their longitudinal axis (35; 45) during operation, and that each wing (33; 43) is provided with a returning means having only one stable position and which, under the influence of the force- exerting means, seeks to move the wing (33; 43) back to the stable position, this position corresponding to said normal position of the wing (33; 43).

Inventors: JAKOBSEN EINAR, JAKOBSEN, EINAR
Applicants: JAKOBSEN EINAR, JAKOBSEN, EINAR
Application year: 1994
Main classification: F03D7
IPC codes: F03D3